1. Munich, Germany

We kickstart the list with Munich simply due to the fact that state universities in Germany offer free or low-cost tuition to both local and international students! If that is not enough to entice you, Munich is home to two institutes, Technical University of Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, that rank amongst the top 100 universities in the world according to QS World University Ranking 2020. Munich is also a strong economic centre and headquarters renowned brands such as BMW, Siemens, Allianz and Infineon; rendering Munich one of the best cities for IT and Engineering jobs in Europe. Graduates in these fields can look forward to work opportunities in one of the biggest tech power houses in the world!

Although living in Munich is not inexpensive (850euros on average for international students), the low cost of tuition available for foreign students is enough to make up for the daily expenses. The bulk of expenditure will go to rental fees.

Apart from education, Munich is also a vibrant city where the highly anticipated beer-swilling event Oktoberfest was birthed. Packed with medieval churches, modern art galleries, museums, dynastic palaces and glitzy nightclubs, studying in Munich is sure to be eventful and enriching. With Munich being the safest city in Germany, and Germany coming in 16th in the 2020 Global Peace Index, Munich is arguably one of the best places to live in Germany.

2. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo prides itself as a metropolis city with state-of-the-art technology, pristine parks and gardens, seasonal cherry blossoms (Sakuras), and of course its delectable and exquisite cuisine! From umami ramen to fresh sushi and sashimi at every corner, being in Tokyo is sure to delight your taste buds.

Food aside, Tokyo is also a city with world-class education with two universities – University of Tokyo and Kyoto University- ranked amongst the top 50 in the world. The average cost of studying and living in the country is also more affordable compared to many western cities. The employability of graduates from Tokyo is also rather high as its education is recognised and accepted in the world. Students can also work part time of up to 28 hours per week and up to 8 hours per day during extended school vacations, which will help with the cost of living in the city.

Japan is ranked 9^th globally in the safety aspect and is also surrounded by beautiful islands that you can look forward to visiting during your breaks and vacations! The country is also rich in history and traditions that you can learn either in the many cultural sites the city has or simply by interacting with the locals. Another unique aspect about Japan is that the Japanese language is vibrant and extensive. Learning the Japanese language will definitely give you new perspective of the world and the cultural difference as there are some words in Japan that you simply cannot translate to English accurately.

3. Montreal, Canada

Montreal, Canada has been increasingly popular among international students, and it is not difficult to see why. McGill University in Montreal is ranked 35^th in the world and Canada is also ranked 6th in the Global Peace Index.

Montreal is also known as the cultural capital of the country with cobblestone buildings and old architecture forming the general landscape of the city. As such, Montreal exudes an old town charm with a vibrant arts scene such as in music, visual arts, performing arts, and is also host to many distinguished events such as the International Jazz Festival and Montreal World Film Festival. It is also home to many foreign-born citizens and is open and welcoming to individuals of different ethnicity. French is the native language in Montreal even though Canada is an English-speaking country so be prepared to see French signs across the city instead of English.

On top of its exciting culture, Montreal is also an affordable city to live in where cost of housing can be twice as affordable as many big cities in North America and Europe. As the temperature here can get pretty cold, Montreal is known for its winter activities so you can look forward to learning some winter sports during your time here!

4. Toronto, Canada

Toronto, Canada makes it to the list as well with the University of Toronto coming in 29 in the QS 2020 World University Ranking. The city is rich in diversity and multi-culturalism and welcoming to people from all over the globe, with more than 160 languages spoken here. Though belonging to the same country, Toronto is a very different compared to Montreal as it is more modernised and uses English as the default language.

Toronto is also an affordable city to study and live in, and international students will be glad to know that you are able to work part time of up to 20 hours to help with your finances. It is easy to get around and explore the city with a convenient public transport system. During breaks, there is much to explore in the city as Toronto is where the majestic Niagara Falls is and tons of natural wonders to visit.

Graduates who wish to continue to stay in the country to work are able to do so as the Canadian government has recently made amendments to the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) for international students. The PGWP enables international students to gain Canadian work experience after completing their educational programme at a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI). Previously, online courses do not count toward the requirement for a PGWP, but the recent coronavirus-related travel interruptions around the world has made it possible for international students to study online and still be eligible for the PGWP after graduation.

5. Singapore

Singapore is a world-renowned education financial city-state hub, with top-notch education that is recognised around the world. Singapore proudly boasts of two universities- National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – that are both ranked 11^th in the world.

Singapore is also a very safe country with low crime rate, though international students should be aware of the many laws and regulations that Singapore has. You may have also heard that Singapore is “clean and green” and that is true because the country does have strict littering laws which helps maintain the cleanliness. Despite being a concrete jungle, you will be pleased to find greeneries lined up along every street and corner.

Another great thing about studying in Singapore is that it is a multicultural country with many different race and ethnicities living harmoniously together. Which is why even though most Singaporeans are bi or multilingual, English remains the nation’s lingua franca.

There are also many attractions and museums that Singapore has to offer, and the little city-state has many surrounding islands and neighbouring countries that you can visit during the weekends or the holidays. Even though Singapore has a higher cost of living compared to many cities, daily meals and public transport are easily and readily accessible at very low cost and students studying in public institutes approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) are eligible to work up to 16 hours a week and unlimited time during term break.

6. Zurich, Switzerland

Imagine a city encompassed by the breath-taking alps and stunning mountainous landscapes- no doubt making Zurich, Switzerland a great place to study in. Nothing epitomises a change of scenery than driving out of the city and find yourself being captivated by the natural wonder that surrounds Zurich.

What’s more, Zurich also has a recognised education system with one of its university, ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ranked 6^th in the world. Switzerland is also known for its high employment rate for graduates locally and internationally because the qualifications obtained in the country is accepted worldwide. In the safety aspect, Zurich is ranked 10 in the Global Peace Index, which should give you a peace of mind in choosing to study in Switzerland.

7. London, United Kingdom

London needs no introduction and has maintained its position as a top study abroad destination for years, probably because of its world class education that is widely favoured across the globe. There are many universities in London rated amongst the best in the world, namely Imperial College London and University College London (UCL) in the top 10, and King's College London and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the top 50.

Though studying in London as an international student is not exactly the most affordable, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time during term breaks. This allows students to be able to gain a side income to help with their finances. As the UK is a highly favoured destination among international students, you will not feel like you are alone in a different environment, and will be able to meet people from all over the globe! Art lovers will also appreciate London as it also houses many art galleries and museums; many of them are rated some of the best in the world. And don’t worry about transport in London, the tube is your best friend when it comes to exploring the city even when it is late at night!

8. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is known as the cultural capital of Australia as well as a city with quality education with the University of Melbourne ranked 14^th in the world. It is also ranked 10^th in best employer activity which means that graduates have a higher change of securing job opportunities with a qualification from a Melbourne education institute.

Australia is also a beautiful country with many outskirts and scenic places to explore- one will never get bored! The cost of living and studying in Melbourne is also more affordable compared to its anglophone counterparts. International students are also well taken care of in Melbourne with a 24/7 support at the Study Melbourne Student Centre. What’s not to love about a city that is culturally rich and has a good education standing in the world?

9. Seoul, South Korea

South Korea has made the waves in recent years with its booming K-pop culture and the film industry, but there is much more to the country than K-dramas and good-looking celebrities.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, also boasts top-notch education and has risen as a tech powerhouse that has produced big brands such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia. Students can look forward to outstanding education and post-study opportunities to learn in a tech giant city like Seoul.

The cost of studying and living in Korea is also more affordable than in many parts of the world, but yet offers many new cultural experiences with its traditions and history. You are also able to pick up the Korean language from the many language programmes in Seoul which will not only value-add to your resumé, but will also increase your knowledge of the country as a whole. South Korea is also surrounded by beautiful islands such as Jeju island so you are able to escape the sprawling city life and relax in the island’s beauty and tranquillity.

10. Berlin, Germany

The last city on our list is none other than Berlin, Germany! As mentioned previously, Germany has one of the most affordable European universities for international students because they offer free or low tuition fees, and Berlin has some of the finest institutes in the world. The city is also a global financial centre and the capital of Europe’s most powerful economy. For this reason, some universities teach their courses in English instead of the German language.

On top of that, the city also has an intricate history and is a major centre of design, fashion, music and art that rivals New York and London. The government in Berlin provides financial support to creative industry workers, which would explain why the city is sprawling with art and creativity with numerous art galleries, museums and theatres. If art is your forte, perhaps Berlin is worth looking into. With its historical background, thriving cultural scene and affordability, it is no wonder Berlin has been lauded as one of the best student cities in Germany for several years.

And that’s it for the list of the 10 best cities to study abroad in! We hope that this will help narrow down your options or give you an idea of what to look for when choosing a destination abroad. That said, we are excited for you to step out of your comfort zone to embark on this new journey. If you need any help in the process, our education consultants are well-equipped and happy to do so!